Most businesses need some form of transport for people or goods, and many small businesses save money by buying used vehicles. This can save you lots of money compared with new prices, but there are many things you need to look out for to be sure that it is genuine and as described.
With business vehicles, you may be buying them from an individual or another business. Although Vans and Lorries have many differences in terms of their uses, the principals of making sure the vehicle is genuine are very much the same.
Trust
One of the most obvious questions to ask yourself is whether the person selling the car appears trustworthy. There is no way of guaranteeing that a trustworthy looking seller is genuine, but if anything appears unusual about the seller; you will know to be wary.
You should look for a home phone number when responding to an advert, if there is only a mobile number you could risk being unable to trace the seller if something goes wrong. If you visit a car where the seller has given a mobile number, ask them for their home number as well. If they refuse to give it, or make excuses; you should be very cautious about purchasing.
Viewing
When viewing a car, you should always ask to view it as the seller’s property. This will help to ensure that you are not meeting a dealer trying to sell a dodgy vehicle. You will also have a location to go back to if there is a problem with the car and you cannot contact the seller by phone. You should always view vehicles in the daytime when there is no rain; as dark or wet conditions can hide otherwise obvious problems with paint and bodywork.
Dealers
A small number of unscrupulous dealers try to get out of their legal responsibilities by selling damaged or dodgy cars personally. When you respond to an advert, you should always ask about “the car”, if the seller is a dealer they will have to ask which car you mean. If you suspect a personal seller is really a dealer, then it is likely to mean there is something wrong with the car.
VIN Numbers
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a vital part of ensuring a car is genuine. The number is 17 digits, and is usually stamped onto a metal plate in several locations on the car (normally including the engine and chassis) when it is made. Some drivers also have the VIN number etched into the windows.
You need to make sure that all the VIN numbers match; and check they are the same as those on the V5 document. If any of the numbers are different, this means that large parts of the car are likely to have been changed; or it has been stolen and the numbers have been altered to hide it.
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